clarification in serial driver

[divyanshu verma <div.linux@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi I am porting 8250 driver to RTAI framework.
On reviewing 8250.c, I can see the following code piece, which I am not able to comprehend.
static void __init serial8250_isa_init_ports(void)
{
static int first=1;
if(!first)
    return;
first =0;
...
...
...
}

My question is that " what  is the purpose of this if condition?

Thanks in advance for clarification.

regards,
divyanshu

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